Have you ever felt like you were running on empty? I've felt like that for quite awhile. It's not a good place to be, and it's an even worse place to try and minister from. So that would explain the infrequent blog postings.
I've never been a journal writer, or diary keeper, so maintaining a blog takes focused work for me. And when the well runs shallow, so does the blog writing.
I'm being called back to a life of more devotion, which for me means less output. As I get older, I realize I can't give out what I don't have. I want to minister out of the Holy Spirit's work in my life, not try and turn a fan on and manifest some wind out of my own power. It only works for awhile, and if it's not God's power, then it's not true power.
So I will rest in the fact that when I am weak, He is strong. Not that I in anyway compare my daily challenges to Paul's, but his words bring me encouragement:
2 Corinthians 2:7-10, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NIV)
So today, on a wonderful Sunday, I am accepting the fact that I'm not the best blogger - and it's a relief to admit it! Also, because I know what it's like to be under a lot of stress, I'm sharing some of my stress reducing tips. These are some very practical things that help make my life a bit easier, and/or bring a smile to my face.
Now, I should preface my list by saying that these tips are far below the best stress reducing tips from God: pray continually, read God's word and trust God's truths like "I don't have to earn God's love." So with that acknowledged, here are some random tips that help keep my head above water:
1. Keeping my gas tank above the ½ mark
2. Making sure I’ve got lots of $1, $5, and $10 bills for miscellaneous needs
3. Having a menu planned for the week
4. Having a grocery list going at all times - making 3 trips to the grocery store drives me nuts
5. Picking out my youngest daughter’s clothes for the entire week and putting them in her hanging weekly clothing organizer.
6. Playing with our crazy Husky puppy
7. Petting the cat
8. Watching a funny movie. Here are some favorites: Shrek 2, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, any old Pink Panther movie.
9. Starbucks. I know caffeine isn't a good stress reducer, but there's something about that place ...
10. Making a to-do list
With a big hug and lots of love,
Glynnis
Sunday, April 6, 2008
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11 comments:
My husband and I love the old Pink Panther movies...they always make us laugh. "Revenge of the Pink Panther" was on tv yesterday afternoon and we watched it for hundreth time and still laughed so hard!
I liked all your stress tips, especially the gas tank one. One thing that helps me too is to buy a bunch of flowers at the grocery store to have at my office at work..a bunch of carnations or tulips. Then when I start stressing out at work I can look at them and feel calmer. Flowers have a way of doing that! It's also fun to sometimes buy a bunch for someone else at work who's had a rough time lately....I try to do that too sometimes.
I found your blog from your devotion today. It was a blessing to my heart.
I have to share that meal planning is one of the greatest stress reducers I have. With four children, nothing can cause panic in my life like four chidlren claiming to be starving and my not having anything planned to make. I have found that it saves me a bundle too.
I look forward to visiting your blog again.
Blessings, Joanne
Thanks for once again speaking to my heart through your devo!
I needed to read your stress reducers as well.....thanks for being so transparent!
Love and blessings,
Tammy
Hola Hermana Glynnis, You hit the nail on the head - why Spanish is the language the angels speak!
Thanks for the beautiful reminder of our life-changing trip. A lady from Ecuador recently called the P31 office to volunteer with the Hispanic ministry. She owns a dress shop here in Charlotte and began our conversation, "Hermana..."
Amen - great tips. I'll add that exercise is another great stress reliever. I was not a big exerciser until recently and I am finding now that I can't go more than a day without feeling the need to "work-it-out" in my workout. Today, I was jogging while watching cable and I came across Kay Arthur sharing scriptural truths on TV. What a bonus! I got two workouts in the time of one!
Have blessed day!
You have spoken a fresh word...a freeing word...over my soul this day. I am weary worn, and in some strange mysterious, God kind of way, he is giving me permission to rest via your words.
Thank you sister.
peace~elaine
I'm so on empty lately this is incredibly timely. Sadly, I'm not able to discern what to do with this....a few large church obligations loom over me, my work, homeschool, friends. I'd really like it if someone just handed me a list of how-to-get-Stacey-back! And then I can actually sit down and be caught up with the Bible readings that I'm putting together a Powerpoint and going to conventions to speak of. How rediculous is this?! I'm behind on the very simple and very important Bible readings and devotions I'm speaking of!
Sorry to ramble, you don't even know me, it just came out! I'd like to assure you I'm not off my rocker, but then idk, my friends might argue, lol. I've enjoyed the posts I've read here, thank you so much!
I know what you mean, Glynnis. I feel like I'm running on empty about half of the time. Thanks for the tips. I like to meal plan, too. I usually write out menus by the month. It makes for easy and cheaper grocery shopping. I only go to the grocery store every other week, with the exception of getting more milk.
I hope you find a little moment of peace!
The menu planning helps tons! I need to try the having cash, I never seem to have any in the mornings when the kids need it!
Thanks for the tips!
Jen
Thanks for the reminder that we are to handle stress, and not allow it to handle us. God bless!
I just discovered your blog and read through some of your posts. This one really spoke to me because I have been feeling like I've been running on empty lately. It's discouraging because try as I might to keep my tanks full, they keep emptying. I think I'm leaking!
So, while I lean on God's strength (and not my own to fix the leak) your tips will come in handy to keep life a lot less stressful.
Blessings,
KelliGirl
www.awesomegodordinarygirl.blogspot.com
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